Aspen Center for Physics
The Site Plan
Our proposed housing is in two locations. Three units are proposed along W. North Street and five units will be interior to the campus on the north side behind Stranahan Hall.
Who We Are Housing
Our new housing will be dedicated to visiting scientists. Housing our program participants and programming staff will contribute significantly to our sustainability and support our mission of attracting the best scientific minds dedicated to the pursuit of cutting-edge research and thought.
Key Characteristics of Site Plan
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Provides 3 new single-family style units with studio apartments and on-site parking along North Street.
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The project includes the demolition of Bethe Hall.
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Provides 5 new multi-family buildings behind Stranahan Hall, including office space in less square footage to replace those in Bethe Hall.
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Reconfigures existing parking spaces and provides additional bike parking.
The Architecture
There are eight sustainable, LEED-certified, all-electric buildings, consistent with the Bayer-inspired style of the existing Aspen Center for Physics and Aspen Institute structures. The buildings are designed to blend in with neighboring aesthetics and will be extensively screened by existing or new trees and vegetation so as not to hinder existing neighborhood view lines.
Three units located along North Street are intended to look, feel, and function like the single-family homes in the West End. In character with the neighboring aesthetic, these units are oriented to the street and include strong front entry areas, front porches, and a single-car garage.
The design for the five buildings tucked behind Stranahan Hall seek to blend with the character of the existing buildings on campus, which are limited to two-stories in height to minimize visual impacts, including the sage meadow to the north. These units will be accessed by a walking path from the parking area at the corner of 6th Street and Gillespie Avenue. Bethe Hall will be removed to accommodate the housing units, and no cars will be entering the interior units to maintain the quiet setting adjacent to the interior of the Aspen Meadows Campus.
Transportation and Parking
Existing historical trails will remain with the new design, including the trail to the horse track and the trails to Amy’s Meadow. Six new parking spaces will be added to the existing 20 on the site. Three of those new spaces are in driveways for the W. North Street units. In addition, two spaces will be added for EV golf carts.
The transit and parking proposal reflects historic and anticipated traffic patterns and guest visitors' habit of using only bicycles when visiting the Aspen Center for Physics. Engineering analysis estimates that the project will reduce trips by approximately 66% because housing is located on site, versus visiting physicists commuting from Snowmass Village and other downvalley locations.
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The Aspen Center for Physics owns a fleet of 150 bicycles available for all visiting scientists and their families. It will add e-bikes to the fleet as well as two shared electric vehicles for unavoidable car trips.
